`Children Need Their Parents More Than a Pizza in the Fridge!'

Abstract

The aim of this study is to find constructions of parental responsibility by analysing letters sent by readers to a newspaper on the topic of parenting and parental responsibility. The study takes a methodological approach, focusing on the meanings of responsibility and looking at different portrayals of parenthood. Three dimensions of responsibility (beginning responsibility, diminished sense of responsibility and obligating responsibility) emerged from the analysis. These dimensions relate to different meanings attributed to parental responsibility, for instance, `responsibility for making choices'. Parenthood is variously portrayed along the three dimensions. Parental responsibility creates norms for evaluating parents' behaviour. Moreover, responsibility produces and maintains boundaries between adults and children.